The suspension of the Emergency Rule that President Bola Tinubu placed on Rivers State has not benefited the people of that state, according to prominent environmental and human rights activist Ann-Kio Briggs.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Briggs claimed that President Tinubu had wrongfully imposed emergency rule in the state and that the return to democratic governance at the conclusion of the six-month term could not be interpreted as a favor to the state.
According to Briggs, Fubara must have the entire support of the state’s citizens, who naturally support him.
She voiced concerns about whether the governor’s current level of support could be converted into effective leadership.
But let’s not overlook any part of what has happened,” Briggs stated. The majority of people in Rivers State, including myself, have always supported Fubara. Women from all walks of life, including market women and those in all professions, have backed the governor of Rivers State.
As you can see, River State residents continue to support Siminialayi Fubara. However, it is now necessary to observe whether our support for him would be able to result in excellent government, security, peace, and progress for the people.
She pointed out that President Tinubu has been the state’s issue and that he hasn’t improved the situation.
“You cannot have peace without justice on the ground,” Briggs stated. And justice is the last thing that the people of Rivers State need. So, where are we at the moment? For whatever reason, the president has felt that he has contributed to our issue.
“You see, it seems like a surface thing when people say that there is reconciliation.” What is the problem, then, if there is reconciliation?
Once more, Rivers State’s governor is Siminialayi Fubura. However, Fubara has been removed from office for six months; you know, Peter Obi reclaimed his six months after the government was removed for six months.
“I find it shocking that Rivers people have been told to forgo their rights and self-reliance due to political pressure. If that is what is expected of us, then why are we in politics?
“Look, there is no favour that has been done to the people of Rivers State. Today, the 18th of September 2025, no favour has been done to us because we have suffered for six months and the president sought with that, we went through this suffering, we are not the people that created the problem.
“The problem was between the former governor and the present governor and there is claim that there was agreement and arrangement where Rivers people did not go into an undertaking With the former Governor of Rivers State or the present governor of Rivers State, the only expectations Rivers people have for the governor of Rivers State. Fubara is for him to govern Rivers State and deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.”
“There is a claim that there was an agreement and arrangement where Rivers people did not enter into an undertaking, and the issue was between the former governor and the current governor.” The only expectations Rivers people have of the governor of Rivers State are those of the current governor or the previous governor. It is Fubara’s responsibility to lead Rivers State and provide its citizens with the benefits of democracy.
